George Bayler

(Taken from the 1913 Washington Post & News)

George W. Bayler, one of Washington’s prominent and well known early settlers, died at his home in the west part of the city on Tuesday evening at 6 o’clock.  Mr. Bayler had been gradually failing for some time and had been quite seriously sick for the past few weeks.  The cause of his death was carditis, an affection of the heart.

Geo. W. Bayler was born November 12, 1842, in a little log cabin in the midst of hazel brush on the site of the A. H. Heiple home in Washington, Ill.

His father, John Bayler, a pioneer, came to Illinois in 1833 from Franklin county, Ohio, stopping at old Ft. Clark, now Peoria, where he worked as a blacksmith in the first shop started there.

He returned to Ohio remaining there until 1839, when, having married, he again came west and settled with his little family in Washington, Tazewell county.

Geo. W. early learned the blacksmith trade and worked with his father at this and the horse business until he was 24 years of age.

In 1869 he married Mary L. Smith, daughter of Auric and Annis Smith of Washington.  To this union was born one son, Wallace E. of Gary, Indiana.  Mrs. Bayler departed this life in December, 1870.

In November, 1873, Mr. Bayler married Miss Isadore Trimble of Washington, who with the son survive him.

In his long business life Mr. Bayler took great pride in the fact that he was dealing with the fourth generation of many who started business with him when he was a boy.

His success in life was due to his invincible honesty and sterling integrity, and his great desire to benefit the stock interests of the community.

In 1881 he, together with A. G. Danforth, began the importation of draft horses from England and Scotland.

In varying phases he continued in the horse business until his death.  Mr. Bayler leaves a very wide circle of personal and business friends throughout central Illinois.

The Bayler homestead and farm was on Jefferson Street near the present high school.  More information on that can be found here.